How to Make and Use Custom Emojis on Your Discord Server

Custom emojis are a great way to personalize your Discord server, creating a unique experience for its members. Whether you want to add memes, inside jokes, or professionally designed icons, Discord allows server owners and administrators to upload and use custom emojis efficiently.

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What Are Custom Emojis on Discord?

Custom emojis are server-specific icons that members can use in text chats. These can be static images or animated emojis (if the server has a Nitro boost level allowing animated uploads). These emojis enhance communication, making interactions more fun, engaging, and tailored to your community.

How to Make Custom Emojis

Before adding emojis to your server, you need to create or find suitable images. Below are the key steps to making an effective custom emoji:

1. Choosing the Right Image

  • Your emoji image should be clear and recognizable at a small size.
  • Ensure the image does not contain intricate details that become unclear when reduced.
  • The best dimensions are typically 128×128 pixels, but Discord will automatically resize the image if needed.

2. Editing and Formatting

To optimize your emoji:

  • Use an image editing tool like Photoshop, GIMP, or a free online editor.
  • Save the file in PNG format for compatibility and transparency.
  • Ensure the file size does not exceed 256 KB, as this is the maximum allowed by Discord.

How to Upload Custom Emojis to a Discord Server

Once your emoji is ready, follow these steps to upload it to your server:

  1. Open Discord and navigate to your server.
  2. Click on the server name in the top-left corner.
  3. Select Server Settings.
  4. Click on the Emoji tab.
  5. Click Upload Emoji and choose your prepared image file.
  6. Give the emoji a unique name (this will be how users type to access it).
  7. Save the changes to finalize the upload.

Remember, you can upload up to 50 static emojis per server. If your server is boosted to Level 1 or higher, you gain additional emoji slots and animated emoji options.

Using Custom Emojis on Your Server

Once uploaded, users can access and use custom emojis in their messages. Here’s how:

  • Type the emoji’s assigned name between colons (e.g., :myemoji:).
  • Click on the emoji icon in the chat box and select from the available custom emojis.
  • For animated emojis, users must have a Nitro Subscription to use them outside of the server where they were uploaded.

Managing and Deleting Custom Emojis

If you need to edit or remove emojis from your server, follow these steps:

  1. Go to Server Settings and select the Emoji tab.
  2. Find the emoji you want to remove or rename.
  3. Click the red X to delete the emoji.
  4. Alternatively, change its name and save the changes.

Tips for Selecting the Best Custom Emojis

For a more effective and visually pleasing emoji set, consider these best practices:

  • Keep designs simple and clear for easy recognition.
  • Use a transparent background (PNG format) to blend well with different themes.
  • Ensure a good balance between fun and professional emojis, depending on your server’s purpose.
  • Regularly update and rotate emojis if space is limited to keep things fresh.

Conclusion

Adding custom emojis to your Discord server is an excellent way to enhance the user experience and showcase your community’s identity. By following these steps, you can create and manage a collection of personalized icons that make your server stand out. Whether they’re for practical use or just for fun, well-designed emojis foster engagement and bring members closer together.